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Danzo's heavy accusation hung in the air, forcing Minato Namikaze and Hiruzen Sarutobi to seriously reconsider his proposal.
After all, the Uchiha Clan couldn't be fully trusted yet.
Minato and Hiruzen were only willing to give the Uchiha a chance because the clan had started to show signs of change, and Konoha desperately needed a period of peaceful development.
But no one could guarantee the Uchiha would truly reform. It was just a possibility.
If that possibility vanished, if the Uchiha reverted to their arrogant, domineering ways and became a tumor within Konoha again… then they, the ones who granted the chance, would become Konoha's sinners.
Hiruzen was retired. The blame wouldn't fall on him.
But it would land squarely on Minato. For failing to take measures against the Uchiha, for allowing it all to happen.
And knowing Danzo's character, when that time came, he'd drag the incident into the light, using it to wrench Minato from the Hokage's seat.
Hiruzen glanced at Minato beside him. The Hokage's expression was heavy. He was thinking the same thing.
A chance could be given, but not without preparations.
From that perspective… Danzo's proposal seemed almost reasonable.
Hiruzen turned to Minato. "Minato, perhaps we should consider this new department."
Minato thought for a moment. "If we establish it, where will the personnel come from?"
Danzo answered immediately. "Every department in Konoha is short-staffed. I will assign a portion of Root ninja to the new department initially. They will train new recruits in law enforcement procedures."
Minato looked at Danzo, his gaze sharp. "The department can be formed. But the personnel won't be solely from Root. Anbu will contribute a share as well."
Danzo had expected this. A department staffed only by Root would simply become an extension of Root. He couldn't change that. "You are the Hokage. The decision is yours."
Once they reached a consensus, Hiruzen asked, "Then, who will lead this new department?"
Danzo spoke without hesitation. "I propose Qianyu as the department head!"
At the name, both Hiruzen and Minato frowned.
It wasn't about qualifications. The department's very purpose was to check the Uchiha.
Putting Qianyu—the man who had relentlessly targeted the Uchiha during the war—in charge would instantly tell every Uchiha exactly what this new department was for.
"Qianyu is unsuitable," Minato said, his voice low. "Given his history with the Uchiha, the moment he's appointed, they'll see right through it. They aren't fools."
Danzo leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, a cold smile playing on his lips as he watched the two. "This recent war. Look me in the eye and tell me—were Orochimaru's contributions insignificant? Were Qianyu's?
"After the war ended, it was my Root that provided the funds for their rewards. Acknowledging their service to Konoha.
"And you two? What have you given them? Any tangible reward beyond empty praise? Any at all?
"Orochimaru, his master, was passed over for the hat due to… unforeseen circumstances. And now you balk at letting Qianyu lead a mere new department?
"Must every position of authority be filled by someone who obeys your every whim without question?
"Let's be clear. Qianyu has been obedient. Every mission you assigned, he completed flawlessly, without a single complaint. And still, you don't trust him?
"Is it simply because he bears the Root designation? If that's the case, why not strip me of my titles as Hokage Advisor and Root Commander as well? That would surely please you!"
Minato winced. "That's not what I meant."
He knew his claim to the Hokage's seat wasn't entirely… legitimate.
In terms of achievements, of record, he couldn't compare to Orochimaru. Minato himself had once believed the Fifth Hokage would be Orochimaru. The man's resume was simply unparalleled.
Even compared to Qianyu, Minato felt lacking.
It was Hiruzen who had forcefully, against opposition, pushed Minato into the position. The opposition, of course, came mainly from Danzo.
Since becoming Hokage, Minato had worked tirelessly, diligently, never daring to slack. Faced with Danzo's direct accusation, all he could manage was an awkward denial.
"Danzo, enough of your nonsense!" Hiruzen snapped. "Minato acts solely for Konoha's benefit! And it's not that we don't wish to reward Qianyu. Konoha's finances are currently strained. We lack the funds for substantial rewards. Once the village is more prosperous, Minato will naturally see to it."
Danzo snorted. "Strained finances? A situation you created, Lord Third Hokage. How noble of you. Choosing to shower benefits upon the very ninja who invaded our village, while leaving the ninja who fought and bled for Konoha to suffer. How generous.
"Is this truly how you treat master and disciple, Orochimaru and Qianyu? If you distrust them so utterly, then let them become full-fledged Root ninja.
"Since you hold them in such low regard, my Root will value them instead."
"Out of the question!" Hiruzen and Minato said in unison.
Currently, Orochimaru and Qianyu were Root in name only. The missions they executed still came from the Hokage's office.
If they fully joined Root, they would answer to Danzo alone. Not to them.
They couldn't let two shinobi of such power slip entirely into Danzo's grasp.
Hiruzen finally saw Danzo's game.
The new department was his primary goal. But if it failed, or if Qianyu wasn't made its head, then Danzo's objective would shift. To claiming Orochimaru and Qianyu for himself.
The strength of those two was undeniable. If they fully joined Root, it would be a devastating loss for Minato's administration.
They had already let Orochimaru down. If they denied Qianyu this position now… he might turn away from them as well.
But putting Qianyu, the Uchiha's wartime nemesis, in charge of a department meant to counter them… it really was a poor fit.
Hiruzen and Minato were trapped. Caught in an impossible dilemma.
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